Five suspects released in 2016 Atatürk Airport terror attack trial

An Istanbul court on July 9 ruled for the release of five suspects in the case regarding the 2016 attack on the Atatürk Airport, carried out by the Islamic State (IS) jihadi terrorists, that left 45 people dead and over 160 injured, Anadolu news agency reported.

A total of 46 suspects including 36 in custody and six out on bail were tried at the Istanbul 13th heavy panel court. Four are still at large.

The public prosecutor on July 9 demanded aggravated life sentences for six IS suspects who are in custody, whose names are Rıza Coskun, Levent Uysal, Ahmet Kaplan, Eyüp Demir, Ahmet Dizlek and Djamel Slimani, the report said.

The prosecutor also sought prison sentences ranging between seven and 15 years for 15 suspected IS members. The prosecutor also asked for the acquittal of the remaining 21 due to lack of evidence, it added.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 12.

More than 300 people have lost their lives in IS-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the group has targeted civilians in the suicide bomb, rocket, and gun attacks.